Happy Thanksgiving!

A week ago today, I finally went under the knife and had the dreadful bunion fixed on my right foot. I had hoped to forego said surgery entirely but the two weeks spent hiking across Europe made it painfully clear that it needed to happen and soon. So for the last week I have been bedridden, cooped up, and have run my poor husband ragged with my poor humor. Although I know it had to be done, I hate that it's this time of year that I'm doing it. I love the fall and I love being active in the fall - hiking, riding my bike, just being outside doing. something. There's only so much reading and TV one can do. Today, we ventured out to Hoover's restaurant for a "soulful" Thanksgiving dinner instead of preparing it at home. And of course there was a hour-long wait on crutches and in an aircast without the comforts of home. Thankfully the food was good. But as a take inventory of my life and the things that I have to be thankful for, it just doesn't make sense for me to have a pity party about being immobile for a few weeks. It could be worse. I could be permanently disabled. Lonely. Without opportunities. So, today I am thankful. Optimistic. Loved.

Fall in New England

Sigh. I miss New England in the Fall. I dream of taking a walk through Central Park in NYC, apple picking in New England, the unbelievable saturation of colors at the Arboretum in JP, hot coffee warming your gloved hands, and the crispness in the air.

I'll remember you fondly 2009

Two thousand and nine has definitely been a momentous year in the Cochran-Green household.

We suffered the loss of our sweet girl, Trudy, in February.



Seth and I ran our first half-marathon in Austin.



I volunteered with BikeTexas and had the opportunity to work with staff, legislators, and the community to promote the Safe Passing Bill. Although Perry vetoed it, it has garnered overwhelming support. Austin passed a Safe Passing ordinance and now cities across Texas are moving forward with passing ordinances.



I hung my own shingle... and I am still in business. Next year looks even better.



We adopted the sweetest puppy ever.



We got married in one of our favorite places... Sedona, AZ. We were surrounded by our closest family and friends. And both my brothers got married this year. I became an aunt in October and will be again in January.



And, after wearing glasses for more than 25 years, I had LASIK a couple of weeks ago and now have perfect vision. Seth will have his in early January.



It has truly been a year of challenges, blessings, sadness, and love. A year in which many of my dreams have come true (husband, business, perfect vision). So long 2009 - I'll remember you fondly

Dear Santa

I know I got just about everything I wanted this year - my own business, a husband, and perfect vision. However I just can't stop thinking about these Old Gringo and Lucchese boots I saw at Allen's. If you order now, you can get them here by Xmas. I'll clean out the chimney for ya and also, leave an entire apple pie with homemade crust and local organic apples. Love, Jen

I'm gonna miss this

This is a view from one of the windows in my office. I spend a lot of time looking at this tree while negotiating settlements, comforting clients, and just daydreaming. Most of the year, its' leaves are a lovely green but this is the time of year that I enjoy the tree the most. The color of its leaves command center stage to the surrounding dull brown landscape. Of course, the pic does not even begin to capture the brilliancs of its orange-red leaves. I am saddened by the thought that the leaves are beginning to lose their luster and fall to the ground. Most likely, this time next week, I will be staring at the feed store through the tree's naked limbs.

20/20

Ahhh.. It gets dark early, it rains alot, and I work out less and less. Outside anyway. Instead, I opt to hit the pool for a relaxing workout and yearn for those crisp fall days and evenings when I can run and run and run. Unfortunately the wet trails and drizzle have prevented me from accomplishing this task. What are you doing to battle the winter blues? Me? I'm having lasik surgery. After 25 years of wearing glasses and/or contacts, perfect vision is finally within my grasp. For as long as I can remember I have always said if I could have 3 wishes, one of those wishes would be for perfect vision. And now it's becoming a reality. I can't imagine how happy I'm going to feel out on the trail when I'm not constantly blinking or riding blind because my contacts dry out or threaten to fall out. Or in the pool swimming laps without concern. Or upon waking in the morning and not having to grope blindly for my glasses.

An Elephant's Best Friend

A friend of mine recently shared a story about an odd couple at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. This lovely story is about a friendship between Tara, an elephant and her best girlfriend, Bella, a dog. Yes, that's right! These two are inseparable. When Bella the dog got injured and had to remain inside while recovering, Tara held vigil outside and Bella was brought outside once a day to see Tara. Tara even scratches Bella's belly. What a sweet story and it just goes to show that dogs are not only a man's best friend nor are friendships limited to just your species.

Camera recommendations?

Hi all. Well my birthday is just around the corner and on my wishlist
is a new digital camera. Since alot of you readers also love to take
photos and upload them to your blogs and website, I'm soliciting
recommendations for the best camera. One that offers great quality,
affordability and of course, it must be user-friendly. I'm not a
techie so please keep that in mind. It would be wonderful if I could
get all of the aforementioned in a small, compact camera so that I can
take pics while out on a ride, run, or other adventure. ;-)

How are you going to celebrate MLK?

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As I grow older and more contemplative, it's a day that I value more with each passing year. This particular year is the manifestation of Dr. King's dream with Barack Obama being elected and consequently sworn in tomorrow. What a wonderful day for all of us here in America and across the world. All eyes will be watching this momentous occasion. I hope you all will spend today and tomorrow with those you love to celebrate our achievements and the challenges that civil rights leaders have overcome. No one thought it would be possible in our lifetimes but we did it. Today, I'm working but I plan to celebrate this day with contemplation by listening to speeches by Dr. King, particularly I
Have a Dream and songs such as Patty Griffin's lovely ode to Dr. King, Up to the Mountain. I've provided the lyrics below. You can purchase it and Dr. King's speeches on iTunes.

Lyrics to Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) :

I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I never been nothing but tired
And I'll be working
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to

Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice
Come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so

The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
It's there I will go

[ Up To The Mountains (MLK Song) Lyrics compliments of Lyrics Mania
available on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

Don't do as I do

An old adage reared its' ugly head at the office today and of course gave me and my colleagues a good chuckle. I just started a new contract position and for the last couple of days been subjected to hours of orientation and training. You know the drill. The company's policy on internet use, dress code, time sheets, blah blah blah. So what adage am I talking about? The oldie but goodie - Do as I say and not as I do. In front of a group of 100 independent contractors (temps), the project lead presented the company's policies (Rules & Regs) via presentation from her yep, personal laptop. She specifically espoused that all forms of e-CHATTING was UNACCEPTABLE. As soon as she made that declaration, guess what happens? She got instant messaged! The dialog box popped up with the other chatter's info and greeting! IT WAS HILARIOUS. She of course promptly typed that she was in a meeting, closed it down and apologized stating you guessed it... Do as I say and not as I do. ;-)